Charles Henry Chick Gavitt, Jr.

Charles Henry "Chick" Gavitt, Jr., 48, of West Kingston died May 3, 2015 after battling brain cancer. He was born March 3, 1967 in Westerly, the son of Charles Henry "Chick" Gavitt, Sr. and Dorothy (Turcotte) Gavitt, He graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Rhode Island in 2005 where he earned his BA in History, Secondary Education, and a minor in Asian Studies. Kyoshi Chick Gavitt was a thirty year veteran of the martial arts and the founder of Ichiban Karate and Kickboxing Studio in Wakefield, RI since it opened in 1991. He held a 7th degree Black Belt in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shidokan, a 3rd degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan, and a 3rd degree Black Belt in Okinawan Weapons. Kyoshi Gavitt was named RI Director of Shorin-Ryu Shidokan in June 1993. Gavitt was awarded his 7th Degree and Kyoshi title in April 2007. In September 2004, Kyoshi Gavitt was named RI Faculty Member of the National School Support Network (NSSN), a branch of the National Association of Professional Martial Arts (NAPMA). He was one of only 200 Budokon Instructors in the world. Kyoshi Gavitt was also a certified Boot Camp Instructor, Cardio Kickboxing Instructor, TRX certified trainer, Level 1 Muay Thai Teacher, and a Level 2 MMA Fitness Trainer. Chick was also very active in the community. In August 2006 Chick received a Gubernatorial Citation from RI Governor Donald Carcieri for his work in the community. He was part of the South Kingstown Cares organization as well as President of the Wakefield Downtown Merchants Association. Because of this kind of involvement, the Ichiban community has always been active in local events. The family would like to thank all of the friends for their overwhelming love and support as they helped Chick and his family during the past 2 years. The outpouring of support was unparalleled. Chick is survived by his life companion Victoria Lynn Bartlett, and their children Elloise Grace Gavitt, 3, and Jaxson Charles Gavitt, 1. He also leaves his sister, Marlo Joan Logan, her husband David Badger Logan and Chick’s nephew, Aiden Charles Logan,11, all of Arlington, VA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Friday in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston, RI Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield , RI, Thursday, 3-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Karate Instruction Assistance Initiative (KIAI), PO Box 274, Wakefield, RI 02880.